Pages

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Ayurveda and the 3 types of Menopause

By Dr. Shamna Prudith.

Womanhood is a great blessing and is, of
course, a big responsibility. A woman passes through various life
transitions including menarche, pregnancy, labour, breast-feeding, child
nurturing and finally menopause. These
phases are all part of normal female physiology. Through bloodletting in
menstruation, the body provides the woman with a natural way of monthly
cleansing and rejuvenation. At menopause, the body puts an end to her
reproductive life.

Ayurveda recommends various dietary, lifestyle and
herbal regimens during this milestones in a woman’s life.
In the world of today, it is common for women to face difficulties
related to menopause. Menopausal symptoms vary, depending on how the
woman’s perspective on this phase of her life and also, the balance of
her doshas. Though menopause is not the finishing point of youth and
sexuality, Ayurveda links it to the natural aging process.

While Vata
dosha is responsible for aging and in menopause, there can also be Pitta
and Kapha symptoms, depending on the balance of the doshas. Because of
the natural shift in hormones, mild symptoms at menopause are considered
normal; more severe symptoms indicate a possible underlying dosha
imbalance.

Kapha: weight gain, fluid retention, high blood
cholesterol, lack of interest and enthusiasm, depression, laziness and
heaviness in the body

HOW TO MANAGE MENOPAUSE:
By following a holistic approach to life,
along with proper diet and lifestyle that bring the doshas into a state
of equilibrium is the accurate pathway to a happy, healthy and blissful
menopause.
Here are some simple tips:

Eat fresh, organic and healthy food in appropriate quantities;

Eat according to your appetite and always keep an eye on your digestion and bowel movements;

Make sure your food includes whole grains, cereals, beans, lentils,
flax seeds, peanuts, soya products which are a good source of natural
phytoestrogens. Make sure however there are organic and from a good
source. Eat enough green leafy vegetables and other vegetables like
asparagus, carrots, broccoli, beetroots and fruits like berries,
avocados, pumpkins, citrus fruits and apples; Include mild spices like
fennel, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, ginger, garlic,
turmeric, nutmeg in your dishes.

Vitamin D is important for bone health

Avoid processed, refined and canned foods

A cup of green tea or herbal tea daily is recommended instead of other caffeinated and energy drinks

Avoid too much spicy, fried and smoked food

Practice regular yoga, meditation and pranayama

Maintain a healthy sleeping pattern of 7-8 hours of sleep

5-10 minutes of meditation before sleep is highly beneficial

A brisk, gentle walk for about 30 minutes daily

Abhyanga massage daily or 2-3 times a week prevents aches and pains

AYURVEDIC APPROACH BASED ON STATE OF DOSHAS:
Vata:

Food – Warm, cooked, regular and unctuous (oily) food

Taste – Sweet, Sour, Salt

Herbs – Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu (Liquorice)

Pitta:

Food – Cold (Room Temperature)

Taste – Astringent, Sour, Sweet

Herbs – Shatavari, Aloe Vera, Saribha (Sarsaparilla)

Kapha:

Food – Warm, light and non-oily

Taste – Bitter, pungent, astringent

Herbs – Ashwagandha

Panchakarma
Severe symptoms indicates a serious dosha imbalance in the body. In
this case, it is important to consult an Ayurvedic physician to undergo
panchakarma, a detoxification therapy, and to take other indicated
medications. Panchakarma helps to flush out accumulated toxins and
various treatment procedures, such as abhyanga (body massage with warm
oil), kizhi (herbal rice bolus massage), pizhichil (oil bath of whole
body), shirodhara (sesame oil poured over forehead) can help strengthen
your body functions and bring overall health and bliss.To reserve a complete ayurvedic health program please contact Dr. Shaman